Reprogramming of a programmable device of a specific version

Abstract

A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming. A method and apparatus to reprogram a receiver station, where the receiver station includes a receiver and a programmable device of a specific version having a memory. The receiver station receives an electronic digital information transmission including operating system instructions and a digital control signal that designates a designated hardware version of a programmable device. The received operating system instructions are communicated to the memory if a match occurs between the designated hardware version included in the transmission and the specific version of the programmable device resident at the receiver station.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of reprogramming a receiver station, said receiver station including a programmable device of a specific version having a memory, a signal detector, and a receiver operatively connected to said signal detector, said method comprising the steps of:
 storing information specifying said specific version of said programmable device, wherein said specific version indicates a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said programmable device;   receiving an information transmission at said receiver, said information transmission including a control signal which designates a designated version of programmable device;   passing said information transmission to said signal detector and detecting said control signal;   determining whether said specific version is said designated version in response to said control signal;   communicating operating system instructions to said memory only when said step of determining determines that said specific version is said designated version, wherein said communicating comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said memory and then storing said communicated operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory; and   executing said communicated operating system instructions to control operation of said programmable device.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said information transmission includes said operating system instructions, and said step of communicating includes communicating said operating system instructions from said receiver to said memory. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of determining matches said stored information to information of said control signal. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim  1  53, wherein said receiver station includes a second programmable device of a second specific version, said method further comprising the steps of:
 detecting a second digital control signal which designates a designated version of said second programmable device; 
 another determining whether said second specific version of said second programmable device is said designated version of said second programmable device; and 
 communicating second operating system instructions to a storage device associated with said second programmable device based on said step of another determining. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , said method further comprising the step of discarding instructions when said step of determining determines said specific version is not said designated version. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim  1  53, wherein said programmable device is a decoder. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim  1  53, wherein said programmable device is a computer. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of communicating includes controlling a switch to transfer said operating system instructions to said memory. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of booting said operating system instructions. 
     
     
       10. A method of reprogramming a first receiver station which includes a first receiver, and a first programmable device having a first memory, wherein said first programmable device is of a first specific version, wherein said first specific version indicates a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said programmable device, said first specific version being different from a second specific version of programmable device included in a second receiver station which includes a second receiver, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving at a transmitter station an information transmission including a control signal designating a designated version of programmable device, said control signal causing reprogramming of said first receiver station, where, upon detection of said control signal at said first receiver station, said first receiver station determines whether said first specific version is said designated version and communicates operating system instructions to said first memory only when said first receiver station determines that said first specific version is said designated version, wherein communicating operating instruction comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said first memory and then storing said operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory, said operating system instructions controlling the operation of said first programmable device when executed; and   transmitting from said transmitter station said information transmission including said control signal to said first receiver and said second receiver.   
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said control signal includes said operating system instructions and is effective to communicate said operating system instructions from said first receiver to said first memory. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein designating information of said control signal is for comparison with specifying information stored at each of said first and second receiver stations that specifies the version of programmable device at each respective receiver station. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said second receiver includes a second memory, said method further comprising the step of:
 transmitting a second control signal designating a second designated version of programmable device, said second control signal causing reprogramming of said second receiver station, where, said second receiver station communicates second operating system instructions to said second memory only when said second receiver station determines that said second specific version is said second designated version.   
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of transmitting from said transmitter station additional control signals, each additional control signal designating one of a plurality of different versions of programmable devices at a plurality of receiver stations including said first receiver station and said second receiver station, each additional control signal including operating system instructions of said one of said plurality of different versions, until a control signal that designates each one of said plurality of different versions is transmitted. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim  10  65, wherein said operating system instructions control first receiver station includes a decoder. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said operating system instructions control a computer. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim  10  65, wherein said digital control signal is operative to cause a switch to transfer said digitally decrypted operating system instructions to said erasable portion of said first memory. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said control signal is effective to boot said operating system instructions. 
     
     
       19. A method of reprogramming a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving an information transmission, said information transmission including a control signal which designates a designated version of a programmable device;   passing said information transmission to a signal detector and detecting said control signal;   connecting a source of operating system instructions only to apparatus associated with a programmable device of a specific version equivalent to said designated version, said specific version indicating a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said programmable device;   communicating operating system instructions only to a memory of said programmable device of said specific version, wherein said communicating comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said memory and then storing said communicated operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory; and   executing said communicated operating system instructions to control operation of said programmable device.   
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said information transmission includes said operating system instructions, and said step of communicating includes communicating said operating system instructions from a receiver receiving said information transmission to said memory. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said step of connecting is based on matching information stored at said receiver station that specifies said specific version of said programmable device with information of said control signal that designates said designated version. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said receiver station includes a second programmable device of a second specific version, said method further comprising the steps of:
 detecting a second control signal which designates a second designated version of programmable device;   connecting said source of operating system instructions to apparatus associated with said second programmable device; and   communicating operating system instructions to a storage device associated with said second programmable device.   
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 19 , wherein when said receiver station cannot connect said source of operating system instructions to a
 programmable device of said designated version, said control signal is discarded.   
     
     
       24. The method of claim  19  71, wherein said programmable device is a decoder. 
     
     
       25. The method of claim  19  71, wherein said programmable device is a computer. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said step of connecting includes configuring a switch to transfer said operating system instructions to said memory. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of booting said operating system instructions. 
     
     
       28. A method of reprogramming at least one of a plurality of receiver stations, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving at a transmitter station an information transmission including a control signal designating a designated version of programmable device, wherein said control signal causes reprogramming of said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, where said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations communicates operating system instructions only to a programmable device of a specific version equivalent to said designated version by connecting a source of said operating system instructions only to apparatus associated with said programmable device at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, said operating system instructions controlling the operation of said programmable device when executed, wherein said specific version indicates a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device, and wherein communicating operating instruction comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said first memory and then storing said operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory; and;   transmitting from said transmitter station said information transmission including said control signal to said plurality of receiver stations.   
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28 , wherein said information transmission includes operating system instructions and said control signal is effective to communicate said operating system instructions from a receiver at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations to said programmable device of said specific version. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 28 , wherein said control signal is effective to connect said receiver to said apparatus associated with said programmable device at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations based on matching information stored at said at least one receiver station that designates said specific version of programmable device at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations to information of said control signal. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 28 , said method further comprising the step of transmitting a second control signal designating a second designated version of programmable device, said second control signal effective to reprogram at least a second of said plurality of receiver stations, where said at least a second of said plurality of receiver stations communicates second operating system instructions to a programmable device of a second specific version equivalent to said second designated version. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of transmitting from said transmitter station additional control signals, each additional control signal designating one of a plurality of different versions of programmable devices at said plurality of receiver stations and including operating system instructions of said one of a plurality of different versions, until one control signal has been transmitted that designates each one of said plurality of different versions of programmable devices. 
     
     
       33. The method of claim  28  77, wherein said operating system instructions control at least one of said plurality of receiver stations includes a decoder. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 28 , wherein said operating system instructions control a computer. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim  28  77, wherein said digital control signal is operative to configure a switch to connect said source of said operating system instructions to said apparatus associated with said programmable device. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 28 , wherein said control signal is effective to boot said operating system instructions. 
     
     
       37. A method of controlling a receiver station, said receiver station including at least one programmable device, a signal detector, and a receiver operatively connected to said signal detector, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving an information transmission at said receiver, said information transmission including a control signal;   passing said information transmission to said signal detector and detecting said control signal;   determining whether a programmable device of a specific version is present at said receiver station in response to said control signal, wherein said specific version indicates a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said programmable device;   communicating operating system instructions to said programmable device of said specific version only when said step of determining determines that said programmable device is said specific version, wherein said communicating comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within a erasable portion of memory of said programmable device and then storing said communicated operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory; and   executing said communicated operating instructions to control operation of said programmable device of said specific version.   
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 37 , wherein said information transmission includes said operating system instructions, and said step of communicating includes communicating said operating system instructions from said receiver to said programmable device of said specific version. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 37 , wherein said step of determining includes matching stored information at said receiver station to information of said control signal. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 37 , wherein said receiver station includes a plurality of different versions of programmable devices, said method further comprising the step of:
 detecting a second control signal;   determining whether a programmable device of a second specific version is present at said receiver station in response to said second control signal; and   communicating second operating system instructions to said programmable device of a second specific version determined to be present.   
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 37 , further comprising the step of:
 discarding instructions upon determining that a programmable device of said specific version is not present at said receiver station.   
     
     
       42. The method of claim  37  84, wherein said at least one programmable device includes a decoder and said digital control signal specifies a version of decoder. 
     
     
       43. The method of claim  37  84, wherein said at least one programmable device includes a computer and said digital control signal specifies a version of computer. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 37 , wherein said step of communicating includes configuring a switch to communicate said operating system instructions to said programmable device of said specific version. 
     
     
       45. A method of controlling a receiver station which includes a receiver, a first programmable device having a first memory, and a second programmable device, wherein said first programmable device is of a first specific version different from a second specific version of said second programmable device, wherein said first specific version indicates a version of an operating system executing on said first programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said first programmable device, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving, at a transmitter station, an information transmission including a control signal designating a designated version of programmable device, said control signal causing reprogramming of said receiver station, where said receiver station determines that a reprogrammable device of said designated version is present at said receiver station and only communicates operating system instructions to a memory of said reprogrammable device of said designated version, wherein communicating operating instruction comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said memory of said reprogrammable device of said designated version and then storing said operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory of said reprogrammable device of said designated version, said operating system instructions controlling the operation of said reprogrammable device of said designated version when executed; and   transmitting said information transmission including said control signal to said receiver.   
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 45 , wherein said control signal includes said operating system instructions and is effective to communicate said operating system instructions from said receiver to said memory of said reprogrammable device of said designated version. 
     
     
       47. The method of claim  45  92, wherein said operating system instructions control receiver station includes a decoder. 
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 45 , wherein said operating system instructions control a computer. 
     
     
       49. The method of claim  45  92, wherein said digital control signal is operative to cause a switch to transfer said operating system instructions to said erasable portion of said memory of said reprogrammable device of said designated version. 
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 45 , wherein designating information of said control signal is for comparison with specifying information stored
 at said receiver station that specifies versions of programmable devices at said receiver station.   
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 45 , said method further comprising the step of transmitting a second control signal designating a second designated version of programmable device said second control signal effective to reprogram said receiver station, where said receiver station determines that a reprogrammable device of said second designated version is present at said receiver station and communicates second operating instructions to said programmable device of said second designated version. 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 45 , wherein said control signal is effective to boot said operating system instructions. 
     
     
       53. A method of reprogramming a receiver station, said receiver station including a programmable device of a specific version having a memory, a digital signal detector, and a receiver operatively connected to said digital signal detector, said method comprising the steps of:
 storing information specifying said specific version of said programmable device, wherein said specific version of said programmable device indicates a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said programmable device;   receiving an electronic digital information transmission in a form of a message stream at said receiver, said electronic digital information transmission including a digital control signal which designates a designated version of programmable device, said electronic digital information transmission originated from a station remote from said receiver station, said station and said receiver station operatively connected to a data network, wherein said electronic digital information transmission includes digitally encrypted operating system instructions;   passing said electronic digital information transmission to said digital signal detector;   digitally decrypting at said receiver station, absent any analog descrambling, said digitally encrypted operating system instructions to form decrypted operating system instructions, wherein said step of digitally decrypting is based on digital enabling information received at said receiver station via an electronic transmission using said data network;   detecting said digital control signal;   determining whether said specific version of said programmable device is said designated version of programmable device in response to said digital control signal;   communicating said decrypted operating system instructions to said memory only when said step of determining determines that said specific version of said programmable device is said designated version of programmable device, wherein said communicating includes a step of booting that comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said memory and then storing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory, wherein said communicating includes controlling a switch to transfer said decrypted operating system instructions to said erasable portion of said memory; and   executing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions to control operation of said programmable device.   
     
     
       54. The method of claim 53, wherein file names of said operating system require file extensions. 
     
     
       55. The method of claim 53, wherein said information specifying said specific version of said programmable device includes information about specific hardware apparatus installed at said receiver station. 
     
     
       56. The method of claim 53, wherein said step of digitally decrypting depends on purpose-built circuitry for supporting said step of digitally decrypting. 
     
     
       57. The method of claim 53, wherein said receiver station includes a plurality of digital decryption algorithms, wherein a particular digital decryption algorithm is selected based on at least one signal received via an electronic transmission using said data network, each of said digital decryption algorithms converts unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information. 
     
     
       58. The method of claim 53, wherein said step of receiving said electronic digital information transmission does not depend on generating a request for reprogramming at said receiver station. 
     
     
       59. The method of claim 53, wherein said step of receiving said electronic digital information transmission depends on digital data representing at least one of a year, a month, a day, a date, a time, a meridiem period, and a time zone. 
     
     
       60. The method of claim 53, wherein said receiver station includes a tuner, further comprising the step of tuning to a channel of a multi-channel wireless transmission at said receiver station using said tuner, and said step of receiving is based on said step of tuning. 
     
     
       61. The method of claim 60, wherein said step of tuning is based on microwave frequencies. 
     
     
       62. The method of claim 53, wherein said data network encompasses the continental United States of America. 
     
     
       63. The method of claim 53, said method further comprising the step of discarding instructions when said step of determining determines said specific version of said programmable device is not said designated version of programmable device. 
     
     
       64. A method of reprogramming a first receiver station which includes a first receiver, and a first programmable device having a first memory, wherein said first programmable device is of a first specific version, wherein said first specific version indicates a version of an operating system executing on said first programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said first programmable device, said first specific version being different from a second specific version of programmable device included in a second receiver station which includes a second receiver, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving at a transmitter station an electronic digital information transmission including a digital control signal designating a designated version of programmable device, said digital control signal causing reprogramming of said first receiver station, where, upon detection of said digital control signal at said first receiver station, said first receiver station determines whether said first specific version is said designated version of programmable device and communicates operating system instructions to said first memory only when said first receiver station determines that said first specific version is said designated version, wherein communicating operating system instructions comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said first memory and then storing said operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said first memory, said operating system instructions controlling the operation of said first programmable device when executed at said first receiver station, wherein said operating system instructions control a computer; and   transmitting from said transmitter station in a form of a message stream said electronic digital information transmission including said digital control signal to said first receiver and said second receiver, wherein said electronic digital information transmission includes said operating system instructions that are digitally encrypted to be digitally decrypted, absent any analog descrambling, at at least one of said first receiver station and said second receiver station, wherein said transmitter station is remote from said first receiver station and said second receiver station, and wherein said transmitter station, said first receiver station, and said second receiver station operatively connect to a data network.   
     
     
       65. The method of claim 64, wherein said data network encompasses the continental United States of America. 
     
     
       66. The method of claim 64, wherein designating information of said digital control signal is for comparison with specifying information stored at each of said first and second receiver stations that specifies a version of programmable device at each respective receiver station. 
     
     
       67. The method of claim 64, wherein said second receiver includes a second memory, said method further comprising the step of:
 transmitting a second digital control signal designating a second designated version of programmable device, said second digital control signal causing reprogramming of said second receiver station, where, said second receiver station communicates second operating system instructions to said second memory only when said second receiver station determines that said second specific version is said second designated version.   
     
     
       68. The method of claim 64, further comprising the step of transmitting from said transmitter station a second message stream including additional digital control signals, each additional digital control signal designating one of a plurality of different versions of programmable devices at said first receiver station. 
     
     
       69. The method of claim 64, wherein said digital control signal is effective to boot said operating system instructions. 
     
     
       70. A method of reprogramming a receiver station, said method comprising the steps of:
 tuning to a channel of a multi-channel wireless transmission at said receiver station;   receiving an electronic digital information transmission in a form of a message stream at said receiver station based on said step of tuning, said electronic digital information transmission including a digital control signal which designates a designated version of programmable device, wherein said electronic digital information transmission includes digitally encrypted operating system instructions;   passing said electronic digital information transmission to a digital signal detector;   digitally decrypting, absent any analog descrambling, said digitally encrypted operating system instructions to form decrypted operating system instructions, wherein said step of digitally decrypting is based on digital enabling information received at said receiver station via an electronic transmission originated from a station remote from said receiver station;   detecting said digital control signal;   connecting a source of said decrypted operating system instructions only to apparatus associated with a programmable device of a specific version equivalent to said designated version, said specific version indicating a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said programmable device, wherein said connecting includes configuring a switch to transfer said decrypted operating system instructions to a memory;   communicating said decrypted operating system instructions only to said memory of said programmable device of said specific version, wherein said communicating includes a step of booting that comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said memory and then storing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory; and   executing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions to control operation of said programmable device.   
     
     
       71. The method of claim 70, wherein when said receiver station cannot connect said source of said decrypted operating system instructions to a programmable device, said digital control signal is discarded. 
     
     
       72. The method of claim 70, wherein said step of tuning is based on microwave frequencies. 
     
     
       73. The method of claim 70, wherein said receiver station and said station operatively connect to a data network encompassing the continental United States of America. 
     
     
       74. The method of claim 70, wherein said receiver station includes a second programmable device of a second specific version, said method further comprising the steps of:
 detecting a second digital control signal which designates a second designated version of programmable device;   connecting said source of said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions to apparatus associated with said second programmable device; and   communicating said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions to a storage device associated with said second programmable device.   
     
     
       75. A method of reprogramming at least one of a plurality of receiver stations, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving at a transmitter station an electronic digital information transmission including a digital control signal designating a designated version of programmable device, wherein said digital control signal causes reprogramming of said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, wherein said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations communicates operating system instructions only to a programmable device of a specific version equivalent to said designated version of programmable device by connecting a source of said operating system instructions only to apparatus associated with said programmable device at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, said operating system instructions controlling the operation of said programmable device when executed, wherein said specific version indicates a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device, and wherein communicating operating system instructions comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of a memory of said programmable device and then storing said operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory, wherein said operating system instructions control a computer; and   transmitting from said transmitter station said electronic digital information transmission including said digital control signal to said plurality of receiver stations, wherein said electronic digital information transmission includes said operating system instructions that are digitally encrypted to be digitally decrypted, absent any analog descrambling, at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations, wherein said transmitter station and said plurality of receiver stations operatively connect to a data network that encompasses the continental United States of America.   
     
     
       76. The method of claim 75, further comprising the step of transmitting from said transmitter station additional digital control signals, each additional digital control signal designating one of a plurality of different versions of programmable devices at said plurality of receiver stations and including operating system instructions for said one of said plurality of different versions. 
     
     
       77. The method of claim 75, wherein said digital control signal is effective to boot said operating system instructions. 
     
     
       78. The method of claim 75, wherein digital decryption of said operating system instructions at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations is based on digital enabling information received via an electronic transmission at said at least one of said plurality of receiver stations using said data network. 
     
     
       79. The method of claim 75, wherein said step of transmitting includes using a channel of a multi-channel wireless transmission. 
     
     
       80. The method of claim 79, wherein said multi-channel wireless transmission uses microwave frequencies. 
     
     
       81. The method of claim 75, said method further comprising the step of transmitting a second digital control signal designating a second designated version of programmable device, said second digital control signal effective to reprogram at least a second of said plurality of receiver stations, where said at least a second of said plurality of receiver stations communicates second operating system instructions to a programmable device of a second specific version equivalent to said second designated version. 
     
     
       82. A method of reprogramming a receiver station, said receiver station including a programmable device of a specific apparatus version having a memory, a digital signal detector, and a receiver operatively connected to said digital signal detector, said method comprising the steps of:
 storing information specifying said specific apparatus version of said programmable device, wherein said specific apparatus version of said programmable device indicates a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said programmable device;   receiving an electronic digital information transmission in a form of a message stream at said receiver, said electronic digital information transmission including operating system instructions and a digital control signal which designates a designated apparatus version of programmable device, said electronic digital information transmission originated from a station remote from said receiver station;   passing said electronic digital information transmission to said digital signal detector and detecting said digital control signal;   determining whether said specific apparatus version of said programmable device is said designated apparatus version of programmable device in response to said digital control signal;   communicating said operating system instructions to said memory only when said step of determining determines that said specific apparatus version of said programmable device is said designated apparatus version of programmable device, wherein said communicating comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said memory and then storing said communicated operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory, wherein said communicating includes controlling a switch to transfer said operating system instructions to said erasable portion of said memory; and   executing said communicated operating system instructions to control operation of said programmable device.   
     
     
       83. The method of claim 82, wherein said programmable device is a computer. 
     
     
       84. A method of controlling a receiver station, said receiver station including at least one programmable device, a tuner, a digital signal detector, and a receiver operatively connected to said digital signal detector, wherein said receiver station includes a plurality of digital decryption algorithms, each of said digital decryption algorithms converts unintelligible digital information into machine readable, machine intelligible digital information, said method comprising the steps of:
 tuning to a channel of a multi-channel wireless transmission at said receiver station based on microwave frequencies;   receiving an electronic digital information transmission in a form of a message stream at said receiver based on said step of tuning, said electronic digital information transmission including a digital control signal, said electronic digital information transmission originating from a station remote from said receiver station, said station and said receiver station operatively connected to a data network that encompasses the continental United States of America, wherein said electronic digital information transmission includes digitally encrypted operating system instructions;   identifying a particular digital decryption algorithm of said plurality of digital decryption algorithms based on at least one signal received at said receiver station via an electronic transmission using said data network;   passing said electronic digital information transmission to said digital signal detector;   digitally decrypting, absent any analog descrambling, said digitally encrypted operating system instructions to form decrypted operating system instructions, wherein said step of digitally decrypting is based on said step of identifying and is based on digital enabling information received at said receiver station via an electronic transmission using said data network;   detecting said digital control signal;   determining whether a programmable device of a specific version is present at said receiver station in response to said digital control signal, wherein said specific version indicates a version of an operating system executing on said programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said programmable device;   communicating said decrypted operating system instructions to said programmable device of said specific version only when said step of determining determines that said programmable device is said specific version, wherein said communicating comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of a memory of said programmable device and then storing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory, wherein said step of communicating includes configuring a switch to communicate said decrypted operating system instructions to said programmable device of said specific version; and   executing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions to control operation of said programmable device of said specific version.   
     
     
       85. The method of claim 84, wherein file names of said operating system executing on said programmable device require file extensions. 
     
     
       86. The method of claim 84, wherein said step of determining uses information about specific hardware apparatus installed at said receiver station. 
     
     
       87. The method of claim 84, wherein said step of digitally decrypting depends on purpose-built circuitry for supporting said step of digitally decrypting. 
     
     
       88. The method of claim 84, wherein said step of receiving said electronic digital information transmission does not depend on generating a request for reprogramming at said receiver station. 
     
     
       89. The method of claim 84, wherein said step of receiving said electronic digital information transmission depends on digital data representing at least one of a year, a month, a day, a date, a time, a meridiem period, and a time zone. 
     
     
       90. The method of claim 84, wherein said receiver station includes a plurality of different versions of programmable devices, said method further comprising the step of:
 detecting a second digital control signal;   determining whether a programmable device of a second specific version is present at said receiver station in response to said second digital control signal; and   communicating second operating system instructions to said programmable device of a second specific version determined to be present.   
     
     
       91. The method of claim 84, further comprising the step of:
 discarding instructions upon determining that said programmable device of said specific version is not present at said receiver station.   
     
     
       92. A method of controlling a receiver station which includes a receiver, a first programmable device having a first memory, and a second programmable device, wherein said first programmable device is of a first specific version different from a second specific version of said second programmable device, wherein said first specific version indicates a version of an operating system executing on said first programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said first programmable device, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving, at a transmitter station, an electronic digital information transmission including a digital control signal designating a designated version of programmable device, said digital control signal causing reprogramming of said receiver station, wherein said receiver station determines that a reprogrammable device of said designated version of programmable device is present at said receiver station and only communicates operating system instructions to a memory of said reprogrammable device of said designated version of programmable device, wherein communicating operating system instructions comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said memory of said reprogrammable device of said designated version of programmable device and then storing said operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory of said reprogrammable device of said designated version of programmable device, said operating system instructions controlling the operation of said reprogrammable device when executed, wherein said operating system instructions control a computer; and   transmitting said electronic digital information transmission including said digital control signal to said receiver in a form of a message stream, wherein said electronic digital information transmission includes said operating system instructions that are digitally encrypted to be digitally decrypted, absent any analog descrambling, at said receiver station, wherein said transmitter station is remote from said receiver station, and wherein said transmitter station and said receiver station operatively connect to a data network.   
     
     
       93. The method of claim 92, wherein said data network encompasses the continental United States of America. 
     
     
       94. The method of claim 92, wherein said step of transmitting includes using a channel of a multi-channel wireless transmission. 
     
     
       95. The method of claim 94, wherein said multi-channel wireless transmission uses microwave frequencies. 
     
     
       96. The method of claim 92, said method further comprising the step of transmitting a second digital control signal designating a second designated version of programmable device, said second digital control signal effective to reprogram said receiver station, where said receiver station determines that a reprogrammable device of said second designated version of programmable device is present at said receiver station and communicates second operating system instructions to said reprogrammable device of said second designated version of programmable device. 
     
     
       97. The method of claim 92, wherein said digital control signal is effective to boot said operating system instructions. 
     
     
       98. A method of reprogramming a receiver station, said receiver station including a first programmable device of a first specific version having a first memory, a second programmable device of a second specific version having a second memory, a digital signal detector, and a receiver operatively connected to said digital signal detector, said method comprising the steps of:
 storing information specifying said first specific version of said first programmable device and information specifying said second specific version of said second programmable device, wherein said first specific version of said first programmable device indicates a version of an operating system executing on said first programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said first programmable device and said second specific version of said second programmable device indicates a version of an operating system executing on said second programmable device and controlling the processing capabilities of said second programmable device;   receiving an electronic digital information transmission in a form of a message stream at said receiver, said electronic digital information transmission including a digital control signal which designates a designated version of programmable device, said electronic digital information transmission originated from a station remote from said receiver station, said station and said receiver station operatively connected to a data network, wherein said electronic digital information transmission includes digitally encrypted operating system instructions;   passing said electronic digital information transmission to said digital signal detector;   digitally decrypting at said receiver station, absent any analog descrambling, said digitally encrypted operating system instructions to form decrypted operating system instructions, wherein said step of digitally decrypting is based on digital enabling information received at said receiver station via an electronic transmission using said data network;   detecting said digital control signal;   determining whether said first specific version of said first programmable device is said designated version of programmable device in response to said digital control signal;   communicating said decrypted operating system instructions to said first memory only when said step of determining determines that said first specific version of said first programmable device is said designated version of programmable device, wherein said communicating comprises erasing any old operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said first memory and then storing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said first memory, wherein said communicating includes controlling a switch to transfer said decrypted operating system instructions to said erasable portion of said first memory; and   executing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions to control operation of said first programmable device.   
     
     
       99. The method of claim 98, further comprising the steps of:
 determining whether said second specific version of said second programmable device is said designated version of programmable device in response to said digital control signal;   communicating said decrypted operating system instructions to said second memory only when said step of determining determines that said second specific version of said second programmable device is said designated version of programmable device, wherein said communicating includes erasing any old operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said second memory and then storing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said second memory; and   executing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions to control operation of said second programmable device.   
     
     
       100. A method of reprogramming a receiver station, said receiver station including a programmable computer of a specific version having a memory, a digital signal detector, and a receiver operatively connected to said digital signal detector, said method comprising the steps of:
 storing information specifying said specific version of said programmable computer, wherein said specific version of said programmable computer indicates a version of an operating system executing on said programmable computer and controlling the processing capabilities of said programmable computer;   receiving an electronic digital information transmission in a form of a message stream at said receiver, said electronic digital information transmission including a digital control signal which designates a designated version of programmable computer, said electronic digital information transmission originated from a station remote from said receiver station, said station and said receiver station operatively connected to a data network, wherein said electronic digital information transmission includes digitally encrypted operating system instructions;   passing said electronic digital information transmission to said digital signal detector;   digitally decrypting at said receiver station, absent any analog descrambling, said digitally encrypted operating system instructions to form decrypted operating system instructions, wherein said step of digitally decrypting is based on digital enabling information received at said receiver station via an electronic transmission using said data network;   detecting said digital control signal;   determining whether said specific version of said programmable computer is said designated version of programmable computer in response to said digital control signal;   communicating said decrypted operating system instructions to said memory only when said step of determining determines that said specific version of said programmable computer is said designated version of programmable computer, wherein said communicating comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said memory and then storing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory; and   executing said communicated and said decrypted operating system instructions to control operation of said programmable computer.   
     
     
       101. A method of reprogramming a receiver station, said receiver station including a computer of a specific apparatus version having a memory, a digital signal detector, and a receiver operatively connected to said digital signal detector, said method comprising the steps of:
 storing information specifying said specific apparatus version of said computer, wherein said specific apparatus version of said computer indicates a version of an operating system executing on said computer and controlling the processing capabilities of said computer;   receiving an electronic digital information transmission in a form of a message stream at said receiver, said electronic digital information transmission including operating system instructions and a digital control signal which designates a designated apparatus version of computer, said electronic digital information transmission originated from a station remote from said receiver station;   passing said electronic digital information transmission to said digital signal detector and detecting said digital control signal;   determining whether said specific apparatus version of said computer is said designated apparatus version of computer in response to said digital control signal;   communicating said operating system instructions to said memory only when said step of determining determines that said specific apparatus version of said computer is said designated apparatus version of computer, wherein said communicating comprises erasing any operating system instructions stored within an erasable portion of said memory and then storing said communicated operating system instructions within said erasable portion of said memory; and   executing said communicated operating system instructions to control operation of said computer.